Blog posts

Hans Chan, Undergraduate, BSc Chemistry

“Imperial is more than just an academic institution – there is a culture of facilitating innovation and helping students to implement and execute great ideas, which you might not find in a pure research environment.”

Since starting my Chemistry degree at Imperial, I have been involved in a variety of things – from being a part of the Robotics and Drone society, to getting involved in tech entrepreneurship competitions hosted by the College.

The College has incredible resources, which enable both students and staff to carry out ground-breaking work in both natural sciences and engineering. At Imperial, there is a celebratory feel in the air whenever something new is created, and this is an environment I enjoy being part of. Imperial is more than just an academic institution – there is a culture of facilitating innovation and helping students to implement and execute great ideas, which you might not find in a pure research environment. (more…)

Dr Julianne Viola, Research Associate, Centre for Higher Education Research and Scholarship

“My research focuses on understanding Imperial students’ sense of belonging, and how that influences their contributions to and participation in social and political life inside and outside of the College.”

My experience as an educator and mentor for secondary school students in the United States inspired me to pursue research that empowers young people.

I realised that my true passion is to conduct and disseminate the research that influences policy and social attitudes. I am most interested in how young people develop and express their own opinions and effect social change, and I completed my doctorate at the University of Oxford earlier this year, before joining Imperial in April. (more…)

Gareth Oliver, Remote IT Support Engineer, Information and Communication Technologies

“I remember how brilliant it was when high speed internet arrived in the UK – we could suddenly download movies while making a cup of tea instead of having to wait for hours!”

I was born and raised in Wales, with Welsh being my first language. After studying Maths at the University of Wales Aberystwyth, I briefly worked in retail and then started my career in IT.

Working for Cable & Wireless (which became NTL and then Virgin Media) at the start of the broadband rollout was really exciting. My role involved analysing faults and responding to customers. I remember how brilliant it was when high speed internet arrived in the UK – we could suddenly download movies while making a cup of tea instead of having to wait for hours! (more…)

David Gordon, Mobile Supervisor, Security Services

“From providing security advice, to stopping bike thieves and giving CPR to save someone’s life on campus – I love the work I do.”

Before joining Imperial, I worked in the Home Office for 13 years in a variety of roles, the last being working on the Cutter Fleet – this involved boarding vessels out at sea and looking for drugs, firearms and other prohibited items.

I joined Imperial in 2015 as a Senior Security Officer. My current role as a Mobile Supervisor focuses on overseeing security operations at all Imperial’s campuses, and I share responsibility for 114 members of staff. I am fortunate that I get to work across all campuses, and enjoy meeting and engaging with all our stakeholders. (more…)

Kitan Oyeleke, Undergraduate, Department of Chemical Engineering

“I am lucky to have lecturers who are leaders in their fields, friends who are some of the smartest people I’ve ever met, and access to a wealth of resources.”

Celebrating our community for Black History Month

I’m the type of person that likes to be involved in activities beyond studying, and the range of clubs and societies that Imperial offered were very attractive to me. Since starting at the College, I have joined the Netball club, African Caribbean Society (ACS) and the Engineering Change Society.

I’m really aware of the opportunities I have as an Imperial student. I think it’s quite easy to take things for granted when you’re dealing with the general stress of university, but I am lucky to have lecturers who are leaders in their fields, friends who are some of the smartest people I’ve ever met, and access to a wealth of resources. I spend half of my year back home in Nigeria and the other half in the UK, and even on the other side of the world in Lagos, being an Imperial student has opened so many doors. (more…)

Christopher Bamikole, Laboratory Manager and Section Safety Coordinator, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction

“My role is centred on helping people, from senior academics who need resources and space for their groups to conduct experiments, to ensuring the safety of junior researchers.”

Celebrating our community for Black History Month

I’ve worked at Imperial for over five years now, and in that time my role has changed significantly from a junior support role to a managerial one. My role is centred on helping people, from senior academics who need the resources and space for their groups to carry out experiments, to ensuring the safety of junior researchers. (more…)

Oluseyi Oduntan, Health & Safety Advisor (Construction), Estates Division

“I’m currently carrying out site inspections at the student accommodation in North Acton, as well as Scale Space at the White City Campus.”

Celebrating our community for Black History Month

I was born and raised in Nigeria, where I studied industrial chemistry at the University of Ilorin. I wanted to further my career in health and safety, so moved to the UK a few years later and began working for Coca-Cola Enterprise, and then for the NHS – I spent 11 years at both organisations. (more…)

Dr Aleisha Miller, Clinical Project Manager, Department of Infectious Disease

“My job can range from dealing with a temperature change in a pharmacy fridge, to simply offering a listening ear to my team during challenging times.”

Celebrating our community for Black History Month

I started my career as a scientific researcher in reproductive immunology, obtaining degrees from The Royal Veterinary College, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Liverpool University.

Looking back, I feel like I stumbled into the world of clinical trials by accident when I applied and successfully got the position as a study monitor at Queen Mary University of London. I started my career at Imperial in 2013, where I was appointed as a Trial Manager at the Imperial Clinical Trials Unit overseeing their HIV portfolio, which was fairly new at the time. You could say that I worked my way up to my current role as a Clinical Project Manager at Imperial. (more…)

Dr Ana Luisa Neves, Research Fellow in Clinical Analytics and Patient Safety, Institute of Global Health Innovation

“I have co-founded a startup to improve maternal health in low-income countries, which has been internationally recognised – an old dream inspired by my experiences as a volunteer GP in low-income countries.”

 I was born and raised in Portugal, where I qualified in Medicine and obtained my MSc from the University of Porto. After undertaking academic and research placements at the Harvard Medical School affiliate Cambridge Health Alliance in Boston, and at the Institut National de la Santé et Recherche Médicale in Paris, I decided to build a career in research and academia. My goal was to bring together my clinical and research experience to deliver safe and more patient-centred care. (more…)

Pooya Hoseinpoori, Research Postgraduate, Centre for Environmental Policy

“I am developing a framework to compare different low-carbon pathways for domestic and industrial heating services.”

I was born and raised in Ahvaz, Iran, and left home at the age of 18 to study – this was the beginning of a long journey for me. I received my BSc in Mechanical Engineering from the KN Toosi University of Technology in Tehran, and then attained my MSc in Mechanical Engineering from Politecnico di Torino, Italy and RWTH Aachen University in Germany. I joined Imperial as a PhD student in the summer of 2017. Living, working and studying in different places has shaped me into a more independent and adaptable researcher. At the same time, being part of a diverse academic community has made me appreciate broader opinions and expertise. (more…)